Scottish Parliament chiefs are facing accusations of spending £6.5 million of
taxpayers’ money to turn the building into ‘Fortress Holyrood’.

They announced they are spending the money on a new security extension, bringing the total cost of the controversial legislature to more than £420 million.

Security advisers have told parliament chiefs they fear the existing public entrance at the front of the building is too close to the main debating chamber and areas “heavily populated by members of the public and school groups”.

Their solution is to create a new security screening area that visitors would have to pass through first that is closer to Arthur’s seat, which overlooks the building.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, which includes an MSP from each of the four main parties and the presiding officer, Holyrood’s version of the Commons Speaker, has approved the spending.

They intend to meet the cost using their existing budget by postponing other projects and spreading it over two financial years.

But Patrick Harvie MSP, Scottish Green Party co-leader, said it was wrong to spend millions of pounds on the parliament building when public services across the country are being cut.

“I’ve never been convinced that the Scottish Parliament should be turned into Fortress Holyrood. We’re supposed to be an open and welcoming place,” he said.

Construction of the security post will begin in October and is due to be operational by next summer. In a letter to MSPs, Tricia Marwick, the presiding officer, said the security and legal advice had been clear.

“We have a duty of care to all MSPs, staff, contractors and to the 400,000 members of the public who come through our doors each year. And in law, we must take all steps reasonably practicable to safeguard their well-being,” she said.